FIREFIGHTERS rescued a man after a fire broke out at his home in Weymouth.

Fire crews were alerted by neighbours at around 3.30am to the fire in Old Castle Road, which is believed to have been caused by unattended cooking.

The fire crews were on the scene within five minutes and managed to extinguish the fire, while the male occupant was taken to hospital by ambulance.

Dorset Fire and Rescue Service has issued a warning about the importance of fully functioning fire detectors after it emerged the devices in the property were not working properly.

Station manager Steve Waller, who attended the fire, said: “Dorset Fire and Rescue Service was alerted to the fire by neighbours and thankfully our crews rescued the occupant from inside.

“We believe this fire was caused by unattended cooking.”

Incident commander crew manager Tim Moore added: “Unfortunately the smoke detectors in the property were not working.

“Had they been correctly maintained the alarm would have been raised much earlier, which would have prevented the risk to the occupier’s life as well as so much damage to the house.”

A neighbour said he was woken up in the night by the sound of the fire crews arriving.

He said: “I think it was about 3.30am. I didn’t see any flames or anything, the only noise I heard was the noise of the fire engine.”

He added: “I just hope the lad is okay.”

A fire crew returned to the property later yesterday morning for a follow-up check on the premises.

Crew manager Jason Browne said: “We were just making sure there was no smouldering anywhere.

“There was fire damage to the kitchen and smoke damage to the remainder of the house.”

The fire has prompted a warning message to householders.

Mr Waller said: “I would like to remind people that having a working smoke alarm will give you an early warning to a fire, allowing you to get out and call the fire service out.

“I would also urge the public to shut all doors inside the house before they go to sleep or leave the property.

“This significantly reduces the fire spread and damage caused.”